[HoustonHam] The Blaze

[Mark Bayern]

I'm amazed by all the hoopla (and scare stuff) over on Blaze.

I guess no one remembers that once-upon-a-time we had weekly tests
from Cheyenne Mountain to stations via the UPI and AP teletype
systems. In fact once in 1971 Norad played the wrong tape. Instead of
sending the test notice they sent an emergency alert message
(non-attack version). I was in the studio when it appeared on our AP
printer. It was followed almost immediately with a message from UPI
saying, 'We don't know if this is true. We are trying to confirm the
message. Please stand by.'

The compliance by stations was abysmal. Luckily it wasn't a real
alert. To me the most interesting thing after the event was just how
long it took them to properly format and send the cancelation notice.
The authentication words for the activation and cancellation messages
were kept in a sealed envelope that was replaced every month. The word
for cancellation was 'impish' -- seemed very appropriate at the time
and something I'll never forget.

I'll be interested in seeing if they get full compliance with this
test. Even if they do, I'll always wonder what station staff will do
if/when they get a real message -- I know the discussions we had, I
know the decision we made. It wasn't an easy decision to make. I don't
think it would be any easier today.

Mark AD5SS
(held a 1st 'phone at the time.)



On Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 7:48 PM, Chris Boone <Cboone at earthlink.net> wrote:
> I normally try to steer clear of political issues especially on mail
> lists...but this has really got me ticked because of the stupidity of Blaze
> to stir up crap where there is none to stir and the number of people who
> blindly believe this without finding out the REAL story...(Also believe
> RM2493, the supposed proposal that Madelyn Murray O'Hair has filed to kill
> all religious broadcasting in the US?? AHHH folks, she has been DEAD for
> over 10 years...and the FCC hasn't used that numbering scheme on NPRMs in
> decades...yet it still exists!!! Can we say urban legend?? You can call the
> FCC main number in area code 202 and listen to their AutoAttendant...they
> have a choice for this issue..It is THAT bad that they have to explain it is
> a fake!! GEEESH!!! )
>
> I attempted to post the TRUTH about the upcoming EAN test on
> TheBlaze.com....and they have refused to post it...TALK ABOUT controlling
> media!! What a spin...
>
> ANYONE who believes what the Blaze, I feel sorry for...No wait, I
> don't!!.....Folks, THEY ARE LYING and will not allow corrections.
>
> The EAN has always been part of the EAS...and was also in the EBS and
> Conelrad....in different forms....Funny how a test scheduled in the middle
> of the day (when most engineers are awake at the job!) is made to look like
> something else...
>
> What a laugh!!
>
> For those of us in Broadcast Engineering, this is a joke but a sad statement
> on America itself...PT Barnum was right...YOU CAN fool most of the people
> most of the time....the Founding Fathers knew that..which is why the US is a
> REPUBLIC and NOT a Democracy....mob rule can happen in a Democracy...which
> is why most of them fall apart around 200years or so...the US is a
> representative republic....hence the different branches of government for
> checks and balances...
> Seems we have gone backwards in this country and are at the point where
> tolerance (which the US was founded on) is no longer welcomed...THINK OUR
> way or get out!!! is the norm.
>
> THAT is not why the US was founded...people need to reread their history and
> LEARN the real reasons why the US was created...and HOW it was...
> When asked by a reporter WHAT form of government they had created, Ben
> Franklin answered "A republic.....if you can keep it" They KNEW how hard it
> was to keep the human element out of government and how people can be led by
> lies and other false prophets, etc.....Just look at what is on TV and Radio
> today...they are there.....
> Wanting to control YOU....
> Think about it...but not too hard.
>
> PASS THIS ON if you have the guts and the brains.......
>
> If this offends someone.......................................
>
> TOUGH!!! GROW UP and learn to think for yourself!!!!
>
> Chris
> WB5ITT
> Trustee, W5APX
> Society of Broadcast Engineers Vice Chair and Freq Coordinator
> Former employee- ABC, FOX, Clear Channel .......(who owns Rush Loudmouth I
> might add....EIB?? ALL that is in reality is a gold plated RE 45 mic in his
> studio..he is distributed and PAID by Premier Radio, a company owned by
> Clear Channel)
> This test has been scheduled for a LONG time...and why didn't GW use it
> during 9/11?? Well that's a good question no one can answer...but this test
> will!
>
>
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